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  • Hanwha Foreena Unveils Grand Flow Landscape Design for Community Entrance
    Hanwha Foreena Unveils 'Grand Flow' Landscape Design for Community Entrance Hanwha Construction has revealed its new landscape design, 'Grand Flow,' for the entrance of the Hanwha Foreena community. On July 15, Hanwha Construction announced the development of the 'Grand Flow' landscape design for the community entrance. This design aims to expand the existing perception of community entrances and provide a unique brand experience for residents and visitors. The core of Grand Flow is the clear distinction between the entrance and internal spaces. A design wall, approximately 3 meters high, is placed to block external noise and views, creating a grand sense of space as one enters the community. The external pathways of the design wall feature restrained planting to enhance openness, while the internal pathways are adorned with lush vegetation to offer a differentiated landscape experience. A dedicated drop-off area utilizing the design wall structure will also be established. This area will be independently designed to ensure convenience and safety for visitors and families with young children, even on rainy or snowy days. In front of the entrance road, a water feature linked to the design wall will be installed. This water feature will serve as a connection between the community's exterior and interior, allowing views of key spaces such as the central plaza and tea house as if framed in a picture. As competition among apartment brands extends beyond exteriors and community features to entrance and landscape experiences, the importance of space design that shapes first impressions is growing. Kim Min-seok, head of the architectural business division at Hanwha Construction, stated, “The community entrance is the starting point of the brand experience for residents and visitors. The Foreena Grand Flow will set a new standard for landscape design in multi-family housing.” Meanwhile, Grand Flow is set to be gradually implemented, starting with the 'Hanwha Foreena Gije Station,' which is scheduled for sale in the second half of this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 11:16:00
  • Former Presidential Aide Faces Arrest Over Leak in Military Case
    Former Presidential Aide Faces Arrest Over Leak in Military Case Former presidential aide I Si-won appeared in court on July 15 for a hearing regarding an arrest warrant related to allegations of leaking confidential information about the Chae Sang-byeong case.Judge Lee Jong-rok of the Seoul Central District Court began the warrant hearing at 10:10 a.m. The court's decision is expected to be announced later in the afternoon.On July 10, the second special prosecutor's team, led by Kwon Chang-young, requested an arrest warrant for I Si-won on charges of leaking official secrets. This marks the first time the special prosecutor's office has sought to secure a suspect in connection with the Chae Sang-byeong case.Upon arriving at the court around 10 a.m., I responded to questions about whether he had informed the Marine Corps of a planned search by the Gyeongbuk Police Agency, saying, "I will provide a sincere explanation."Special Prosecutor Kim Chi-hun stated, "I believe the former aide meets all the criteria for the seriousness of the crime, potential evidence destruction, and flight risk, as well as concerns about reoffending and harm to witnesses."He added, "July 19 marks three years since Chae Sang-byeong's death, and we hope the court will issue the warrant so that his death will not be in vain."I Si-won is accused of notifying the Marine Corps about the planned search by the Gyeongbuk Police Agency related to the Chae Sang-byeong case in September 2023.At that time, the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency had communicated the search plan to an employee of the presidential office's public integrity office.The special prosecutor's office believes that I Si-won informed a National Security Office official about the search details, which were subsequently relayed to the Marine Corps through the Ministry of National Defense.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 11:16:00
  • Chamber of Commerce: Minimum Wage Increase Burdens SMEs and Self-Employed, Policy Support Needed
    Chamber of Commerce: Minimum Wage Increase Burdens SMEs and Self-Employed, Policy Support Needed The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) stated that the minimum wage for next year has been set to increase by 3.7% to 10,700 won, emphasizing that this will significantly burden self-employed individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). On July 15, Choi Eun-rak, head of the KCCI's research division, commented on the 2027 minimum wage decision, saying, "The business community views this as a result of the Minimum Wage Commission's careful consideration of domestic and international economic conditions and the capacity of the field to absorb the increase." He added, "This increase will weigh heavily on the ground, and I hope discussions will begin on a decision-making process that reflects objective indicators and the payment capacity of the field to prevent conflicts surrounding minimum wage determinations from recurring each year." Meanwhile, it is estimated that 660,000 workers will be affected by the proposed minimum wage for 2027, based on the Employment Type Survey, while the Economic Activity Population Supplementary Survey estimates this number at 2,978,000. The monthly equivalent of next year's minimum wage, based on 209 hours, is 2,236,300 won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 11:12:00
  • Shadow of Free Education for 5-Year-Olds: The Reality of Monthly Support of 110,000 Won
    Shadow of Free Education for 5-Year-Olds: The Reality of Monthly Support of 110,000 Won The paradox of increasing education budgets amid declining student numbers is sparking controversy. Where is South Korea's education finance headed? A report from the National Assembly Budget Office, titled 'Analysis of the 2025 Fiscal Year Settlement by Committee (Education and Culture, Sports and Tourism Committees),' reveals the contradictions within the current education finance structure. Despite a decrease in the school-age population, the local education finance grants linked to domestic tax revenues are expanding, highlighting structural limitations and irregularities in the budget for free high school education. The complexities surrounding higher education innovations represented by ANCHOR and Glocal universities are vast. Aju Economy is conducting a three-part series to diagnose the crisis in early childhood, primary, secondary, and higher education finance and to seek reasonable resource reform alternatives for sustainable future education. <Editor’s Note>Shadow of free education for 5-year-olds: the reality of monthly support of 110,000 won"I expected the government to take responsibility, but the costs remain the same," lamented a parent sending their child to a private kindergarten in Seoul. The government's ambitious early childhood education and childcare policies aimed at addressing low birth rates are struggling to align with on-the-ground realities.A report released on July 10 by the National Assembly Budget Office captures the adverse effects of uniform budget execution that ignores regional disparities. Despite significant financial investment, the promise of free education has lost its luster, and the expansion of childcare infrastructure is stagnating.Uniform monthly support of 110,000 won for free education: 'Insufficient' in Seoul, 'Excessive' in regionsThe most contentious aspect is the 'Gradual Implementation of Free Education for Young Children' initiative. Launched in the second half of 2025 for 5-year-olds, this program allocated a total of 128.85 billion won from the reserve fund. The Ministry of Education set a uniform support rate of 20,000 won per month for public kindergartens, 110,000 won for private kindergartens, and 70,000 won for daycare centers, distributing these funds to local education offices. The aim was to cover the gap between the standard early childhood education cost (557,000 won) and existing government and education office support (448,000 won) for private kindergartens.However, the reality for private kindergartens across the country diverges from these calculations. Kindergarten fees are determined by the principal with the approval of the education superintendent, leading to significant regional variations. According to the Kindergarten Information System, shortly after the support was implemented in October 2025, the average educational cost for 5-year-olds in private kindergartens in Seoul was 111,619 won, while in Gyeonggi Province, it reached 133,668 won. This means that even with the 110,000 won support, parents still face additional costs of 11,000 to 33,668 won. The term 'free education' has become misleading.In contrast, regions like Ulsan, Gyeongnam, and Chungnam, where educational costs were already close to zero or very low, experienced a reversal where the support amount (110,000 won per month) exceeded the actual fees parents were paying. Thus, while parents in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province continue to bear significant costs, other provinces are facing serious 'regional asymmetry' with excessive budget allocations.As national funds arrive, local education offices close their wallets: 'Without differential support, there are limits'Even more perplexing is that in some areas, the initiative has led to reduced benefits. As national funds were distributed uniformly, some local education offices that had previously supported free education from their own resources cut their existing support budgets.According to the report, six education offices, including Incheon, Gwangju, Ulsan, Gangwon, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongnam, reduced their own free education support budgets. For instance, in Incheon, the total amount combining national support and local free education funds decreased from 662,000 won to 559,000 won, a reduction of 103,000 won. Ulsan and Jeonbuk also saw decreases of 75,000 won and 70,000 won, respectively.As the national government releases funds, local governments are finding ways to cut their budgets, and the burden falls squarely on parents.In response, the Ministry of Education stated, "The actual burden on parents varies by institution and region, so we set the support rates to alleviate the average burden. If the burden on parents is less than the support budget, the Ministry will ensure that the remaining amount is used for direct educational expenses for children."They added, "Differential application of national support considering the existing support levels of local governments could raise concerns about equity in free education support across regions."However, the Budget Office pointed out, "Despite the varying fees among private kindergartens, the Ministry of Education's uniform application of the same support rate has resulted in situations where parents still bear costs, while some local governments are reducing their own support funds. To realize free education through national budgets, it is necessary to apply differentiated support rates by region, given the differing burdens on parents across provinces."New towns face long waiting lists while childcare facility expansion stagnatesThe expansion of childcare infrastructure is also severely disconnected from reality. The government allocated 26.684 billion won for the 'Childcare Facility Expansion' initiative, which supports the establishment of public daycare centers favored by parents.While the number of births and daycare centers nationwide is declining, new towns, where newlyweds are concentrated, still face severe local supply-demand imbalances, with parents waiting in line dozens or even hundreds of times for daycare admission.Despite the urgent demand on the ground, the execution rate for the 2025 fiscal year childcare facility expansion project was only 42.0% (11.195 billion won). More than half of the budget remains unspent.Looking at the annual execution rates, they have hovered around 40%: 38.5% in 2022, 35.5% in 2023, and 35.6% in 2024. Even though the budget for 2025 was reduced by 36% compared to the previous year due to chronic under-execution, the execution rate still only reached 42.0%, showing little improvement.The Ministry of Education explained, "Despite the declining demand for childcare due to low birth rates, the demand for public daycare center expansion was overestimated. In some areas, the support rates for new construction or long-term lease projects were relatively high, leading to a lack of quantity, while the lower-cost remodeling projects for apartment complexes were favored, resulting in reduced execution scale."In this regard, the Budget Office emphasized the need to improve the execution rate of the public daycare center expansion project to address the shortage of facilities in areas with high numbers of young children. They analyzed that the failure to accurately assess urgent local demand and the habitual allocation of budgets have led to a situation where funds are not reaching the areas that need them, resulting in a form of budgetary sclerosis. 2026-07-15 11:12:00
  • Hanwha Systems Pursues Independence in Defense Semiconductors
    Hanwha Systems Pursues Independence in Defense Semiconductors Hanwha Systems is intensifying its industry-academia collaboration to achieve independence in defense semiconductors. The company has partnered with Seoul National University and Sungkyunkwan University to develop key semiconductors for applications in radar and satellite communications.On July 15, Hanwha Systems held a defense semiconductor technology workshop and announced the signing of detailed contracts for the development of high-power microwave (HPM) semiconductor chips with both universities.Microwaves are directional energy weapons that emit powerful electromagnetic energy to disable enemy electronic and communication equipment within a radius of several hundred meters. The collaboration will also focus on developing defense semiconductors necessary for radar, searchers, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, and satellite tactical communication equipment.Following the establishment of a joint research center for defense semiconductors with Seoul National University and Sungkyunkwan University in March, this contract marks the beginning of substantial joint research and technology development.Specifically, the joint research center at Seoul National University will work on developing 'high-linearity semiconductor chips for satellite terminals' aimed at reducing signal distortion during data transmission between space and ground. This technology is considered essential for improving satellite communication quality and miniaturizing terminal devices.Hanwha Systems plans to gradually apply this technology to satellite terminals from this year until 2028, with future expansions to include low Earth orbit satellite communication payloads and next-generation communication base stations.The joint research center at Sungkyunkwan University will focus on securing design technology for monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs). MMICs integrate multiple components required for radar transmission and reception into a single semiconductor chip, making them critical components that influence the performance of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars and small satellites.Additionally, Hanwha Systems is considering the introduction of foundry processes for mass production of defense semiconductors. The company aims to secure independent technology to enhance competitiveness in both domestic weapon systems and the global defense market.Through this industry-academia collaboration, Hanwha Systems expects to localize key defense semiconductors that are currently heavily reliant on imports, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of next-generation weapon systems.“Collaboration with Seoul National University and Sungkyunkwan University is not just about technology development; it is a process of establishing a virtuous cycle value chain that leads to the design, verification, expansion, and commercialization of defense semiconductors,” said Kwak Jong-woo, head of Hanwha Systems' foundational research institute.Meanwhile, as global security uncertainties persist, the strategic importance of defense semiconductors is increasing. It is reported that the domestic defense semiconductor sector relies on imports for about 99% of its needs. In response, the government enacted the 'Act on the Promotion and Support of Defense Semiconductors' last month to foster self-sufficiency in key components and stabilize supply chains.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 11:08:00
  • Middle Eastern Oil Producers Accelerate Construction of Alternative Routes Amid Iranian Threats
    Middle Eastern Oil Producers Accelerate Construction of Alternative Routes Amid Iranian Threats As Iran continues to attack vessels and restrict navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Middle Eastern oil producers are accelerating the construction of oil pipelines and ports to bypass the strait.According to reports from foreign media outlets including the New York Post on July 14, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iraq are working on new pipelines that will allow them to export crude oil without passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia is also considering expanding the capacity of its existing pipelines, while the UAE is planning to build a new port along the Arabian Sea coast.Alexandra Paulus, an analyst at Goldman Sachs, projected that by the end of 2027, pipeline capacity could be established to divert up to 45% of pre-war Persian Gulf oil exports away from the Strait of Hormuz.By the end of 2028, it is expected that oil transported without passing through the strait could reach 7.3 million barrels per day, meaning that approximately 60% of Gulf oil exports could be unaffected by the Strait of Hormuz.The UAE's 'West-East Pipeline' is currently about 50% complete. Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has reportedly instructed that the project be completed by 2027.This pipeline, which will stretch 252 miles (approximately 406 kilometers), is set to operate alongside the existing Fujairah pipeline. Once completed, the UAE's capacity to transport oil via land will double to 3.6 million barrels per day.In Iraq, the construction of the Basra-Haditha pipeline, which will span 435 miles (approximately 700 kilometers), is underway. This pipeline will connect Basra to Jordan, Syria, and Turkey and is designed to transport 2.5 million barrels of oil per day.According to the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, construction began in early May and is expected to cost around $1.5 billion (approximately 2.236 trillion won). However, a specific completion date has not yet been determined.Saudi Arabia is also reviewing plans to expand the capacity of a pipeline from its eastern oil fields to the Red Sea to 9 million barrels per day. Initial discussions with neighboring countries are reportedly ongoing.The UAE is also pursuing plans to build a new port and container terminal on the Arabian Sea side of the Strait of Hormuz. Once the new port is established, vessels will be able to transport goods to the region without passing through the strait, further reducing the UAE's dependence on it.However, even with the completion of the pipelines and ports, it is expected to be challenging to completely eliminate Iran's influence. Between 7 million and 9 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products will still need to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and some alternative pipelines will depend on the stability of the Red Sea route.The New York Post recently reported that the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have warned of attacks on the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, indicating that uncertainties remain even for alternative transport routes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 11:08:00
  • The Struggles of Guryong Village: A Fight for Survival in Seoul
    The Struggles of Guryong Village: A Fight for Survival in Seoul The watchtower guarding the entrance to Guryong Village still bears the marks of past protests. Even when no one stands inside, the structure seems to echo the cries of its history. After passing the watchtower and walking a few minutes along an unpaved road, we finally entered the village: a deserted public parking lot overgrown with weeds, as if no car had entered for years. The air was damp and heavy, likely due to the rain the day before, creating a heat that would keep people indoors. Thus, we set foot in what is known as Seoul's last shantytown. On one side of the parking lot stood a small village office, where several residents were gathered. As we approached, their gazes sharpened. Even when we greeted them, they remained distant. “Are you a reporter?” someone asked. When I confirmed, the conversation ended there. “I’ve seen many reporters. But what good does it do to talk? Nothing changes,” said both the residents who had lost their homes to fires and those sitting in front of the office. Every time a fire broke out, news crews would swarm, labeling the area as “Seoul’s last slum” before leaving just hours later. Afterward, the village remained unchanged. Everyone avoided making eye contact with us, and some stood at a distance, silently watching our movements. Here, we were not welcomed guests but rather subjects of scrutiny. This sentiment persisted during our visits the following day. Guryong Village began in 1988, when people displaced by the redevelopment of shantytowns in the city gathered ahead of the Seoul Olympics. It grew large enough to be divided into nine districts, from District 1 to District 8. We parked and walked past piles of discarded trash and a recycling station for paper, eventually coming across a few makeshift mailboxes. They appeared hand-crafted, clearly waiting for residents to collect their mail. Nearby, a wall was marked with mysterious blue spray-painted numbers, the meaning of which we would learn later. The homes here were so cramped that “narrow” hardly sufficed to describe them. Though the structures were barely worthy of the name “home,” they were warm shelters for the families living within. Several tightly shut doors bore wooden boards nailed by the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation. These boards were not placed randomly; they marked vacant spaces left behind by residents who had fallen ill, improved their circumstances, or ultimately left the village. One board read, “7-15-1 Vacant, legal action will be taken for unauthorized entry or damage, 2026.5.5.” Above it, an official notice was taped: “This is a temporary structure closed due to the resident’s relocation. Unauthorized entry or damage will be subject to penalties under Article 319 (trespassing) and Article 366 (property damage) of the Criminal Code.” The juxtaposition of the handwritten warning and the dry bureaucratic language reflected the reality of this village. With each departure, another board was nailed up. From this point, the path narrowed to barely allow one person to pass, winding along as we encountered forgotten toys and items once cherished by children who no longer returned to retrieve them. Abandoned bicycles, half-buried toy cars, and faded small objects seemed to wait for someone. This alley had once been a route to school for those children. Now, those children likely attended different schools elsewhere. The true face of Guryong Village began to reveal itself at this juncture, where the stench of garbage mixed with humidity made it hard to breathe. Early on, we discovered a bathroom tucked away in a narrow passage. Behind a firmly shut wooden door was a makeshift toilet, crafted from a chair to provide some comfort. Without needing further explanation, this single item told us much about the basic facilities in a place not even marked on maps. Ahead, we spotted a gravel road wide enough for vehicles, and we pushed through knee-high grass, battling mosquitoes and insects to reach it. Following the road, we came across a tent that appeared to serve as a shelter for fire victims, and beyond it lay an area of over 3,300 square feet covered with blue tarps. This was the site of a fire that occurred in January, where a single room had housed residents for their entire lives. In an instant, the flames consumed everything they had built over the years. The tarp stood as evidence of that moment and the last remnants of their hard-fought lives. As we moved past the tarp, a charred house caught our attention. Through the collapsed walls, we saw books left behind, scorched appliances, and cassette tapes, all waiting for their owners who would never return. Disasters momentarily returned this village to the evening news, but once the world’s attention faded, the burned homes remained. Residents spoke calmly about the fires, acknowledging that the houses were too close together, the paths too narrow, and the materials too flammable for anyone to believe the next fire could be completely prevented. We continued through the underbrush and discovered a house surrounded by a fence, its roof covered with a mossy blanket. Traces of a life fiercely protected for so long remained intact. Among the piles of trash, we noticed coal briquettes saved for the winter, alongside ashes that had already turned green with moss. This was preparation for another winter. As we navigated through tiny spiders, swarms of mosquitoes, and other insects, we arrived at a scene that starkly illustrated the current state of Guryong Village. On one side, a landscape that seemed uninhabitable, and on the other, a luxury apartment complex valued at over 40 billion won. Leaving behind that jarring contrast, we headed toward District 1, where people first settled in 1988. Through broken windows, we glimpsed belongings left behind during hasty relocations, and a once-bustling beauty salon stood with its door barely intact. Throughout this area, banners appeared, evidence that residents were still fiercely fighting for what they believed were their rights. Uncertain of when or how development would occur, they continued to endure. Over the course of two or three days, the residents’ initial wariness began to ease as we repeatedly traversed the same paths and encountered familiar faces. Those who had once avoided eye contact began to greet us or engage in brief conversations. Thanks to this gradual rapport, we encountered a truck delivering goods to the village. It carried everything from daily necessities to shoes, clothes, fans, and even rat poison. One resident purchased rat poison, commenting that the newer versions were ineffective and requesting the older kind. Nearby, residents we had not seen before gathered to examine the truck’s contents. A small supermarket appeared, selling groceries, snacks, and beverages like any other store in the city. Inside, an elderly woman quietly welcomed us in the dimly lit shop. As evening fell, a different kind of chill settled in. A few streetlights barely illuminated the path, and in the distance, a building caught our eye: a shining cross. Almost entranced, we followed the light, forgetting the mosquitoes biting us. The contrast of wealth became even more pronounced at night: on one side, the dazzling lights of the Gangnam apartment complex, and on the other, Guryong Village, where only a few streetlights struggled against the darkness. The scene we witnessed on our way out differed from what we had seen during the day. Cars that had been invisible earlier were now parked in various spots, and sounds of televisions and radios emanated from houses that seemed on the verge of collapse. Uncertainty loomed over when development would begin or when another fire might strike. Yet, amid this unpredictability, the residents continued to stockpile coal briquettes, repair roofs, and purchase rat poison, enduring each day. This quiet yet persistent struggle is the most significant battle being waged in Guryong Village. 2026-07-15 11:08:00
  • Chinas CXMT Plans Record $15 Billion IPO Amid AI Investment Boom
    China's CXMT Plans Record $15 Billion IPO Amid AI Investment Boom Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT), known as China's equivalent to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, is set to launch the largest initial public offering (IPO) in Chinese history on July 27, fueled by a boom in AI investments.On July 14, CXMT announced through a disclosure to the Shanghai Stock Exchange that it plans to issue up to 6.688 billion shares at a price of 8.66 yuan per share, representing 10% of its total shares. Local media, including the China Securities Journal, reported this on July 15.The total fundraising is expected to reach 57.91 billion yuan, and with the inclusion of the greenshoe option, it could exceed 66.6 billion yuan. This amount is more than double the initial target of 29.5 billion yuan, making it the largest IPO in Asia this year and the biggest for a Chinese semiconductor company on the mainland. It is also anticipated to surpass the 53 billion yuan IPO of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), which went public on the STAR Market in 2020.CXMT plans to use the funds raised from this IPO to enhance its production lines and develop next-generation memory technologies. According to Reuters, the company will begin accepting subscriptions for its shares on July 15, with the listing expected on July 27.Founded in 2016 in Hefei, Anhui Province, CXMT is a leading player in China's DRAM memory semiconductor market. The company achieved a significant milestone in September 2019 by successfully mass-producing DDR4, a key DRAM product, marking a breakthrough in China's previously underdeveloped memory semiconductor sector. With the surge in demand for AI server memory, CXMT has experienced explosive growth, capturing a 7.7% share of the global market by the end of last year, making it the fourth-largest DRAM manufacturer worldwide, following Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron.The company's financial performance has also shown a sharp upward trend. Although it reported cumulative losses of 36.65 billion yuan (approximately $5.5 billion) by the end of last year, the demand for AI memory is expected to lead to a significant turnaround in its financial results this year. In the first quarter, revenue surged by 719% year-on-year, with net profit skyrocketing by 1,688% to reach 33 billion yuan, indicating a substantial profit is anticipated.As a key player in China's strategy for semiconductor self-sufficiency and AI supply chain development, CXMT has received substantial support from the Chinese government. The IPO was approved just 164 days after the company submitted its application on December 30 of last year.The strategic investors participating in this IPO are notable, including major Chinese tech firms such as Meituan, Alibaba, and Tencent, as well as long-term funds like the National Social Security Fund, pension insurance funds, and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. This reflects the strategic support from the Chinese government and big tech for the AI memory supply chain.Meanwhile, amid the global enthusiasm for AI investments, significant fundraising is also occurring across China's AI industry. On July 15, Bloomberg reported that Chinese AI startup DeepMind is also considering a domestic IPO within the year. 2026-07-15 11:08:00
  • Koreas National Museum sees 7 million annual visitors after record H1
    Korea's National Museum sees 7 million annual visitors after record H1 SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) —South Korea's National Museum is on pace for another record year as domestic and foreign visitors flock to one of the country's fastest-rising cultural landmarks. The National Museum of Korea welcomed 3.8 million visitors in the first half of 2026, up nearly 40 percent from a year earlier and already exceeding its total attendance for all of 2024, according to data released Tuesday. Foreign visitors have been a major driver of the increase. Nearly 165,400 overseas tourists visited the museum during the first six months of the year, up 68.8 percent from a year earlier, reflecting growing international interest in Korean culture beyond K-pop and television dramas. Attendance has remained strong throughout the year. Monthly visitors exceeded 700,000 during the winter school holidays and again in May, while another 536,000 people visited in June. With South Korea's summer vacation season approaching, officials expect visitor numbers to climb further. Recent special exhibitions have also helped attract crowds, including The Korean Table: Food, Nature, and Life, which explores the roots of Korean culinary culture, and Amazing Thailand: Masterpieces of Thai Art, the first major exhibition in Korea showcasing Thailand's history and artistic heritage. If current trends continue, annual attendance is expected to exceed 6 million for a second consecutive year after crossing that threshold for the first time in 2025. It could even top 7 million, a figure that would rank second worldwide under The Art Newspaper's 2025 global museum attendance survey. The surge, however, is straining the institution's facilities. The museum averaged about 17,000 visitors a day in June, well above its estimated daily capacity of 15,000. To ease congestion, the museum recently raised parking fees on weekends and public holidays. Experts have also renewed calls to expand exhibition space as visitor numbers continue to outgrow the existing facilities. Director general of the museum Yu Hong-june has previously proposed constructing a second permanent exhibition building and expanding the museum's management structure, saying peak-season attendance can exceed 40,000 visitors a day. To handle the summer rush, opening hours will be extended from July 27 through Aug. 17. During that period, the museum will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., one hour longer than usual, while Wednesday and Saturday evening hours until 9 p.m. will remain unchanged. It will also reduce privately run guided tours from seven sessions a day to five to better manage visitor traffic. 2026-07-15 11:06:25
  • U.S. Launches Critical Minerals Alliance; South Korea Must Address Supply Chain Risks
    U.S. Launches 'Critical Minerals Alliance'; South Korea Must Address Supply Chain Risks 미국이 핵심광물 공급망을 우방국 중심으로 재편하는 '핵심광물 공급망 협정(ATCM)'을 추진하면서 우리나라도 대(對)중 공급망 리스크와 대미·대유럽(EU) 수출 경쟁력을 함께 고려한 전략적 대응이 필요하다는 국책연구기관의 분석이 나왔다. 산업연구원은 15일 발표한 '미국의 핵심광물 공급망 협정(ATCM) 추진 동향과 주요국 대응' 보고서에서 미국이 추진하는 ATCM의 구조와 주요국 입장을 분석하고 한국의 공급망 안정성과 산업경쟁력 강화를 위한 대응 방향을 제시했다. 보고서는 ATCM을 단순한 광물 협력이 아니라 우방국 간 핵심광물 생산과 공급망을 유지·확대하기 위한 복수국 간 산업정책 협력체계로 평가했다. 미국은 이를 통해 핵심광물 공급망 다변화와 중국 의존도 축소, 우방국 중심 특혜무역체계 구축, 가격 안정 메커니즘 마련 등을 추진하고 있다. 특히 미국은 가격하한제, 공동외부관세, 최소수입가격, 인공지능(AI) 기반 기준가격 등을 결합한 새로운 가격체계를 구상하고 있다. 특정 국가의 저가 공세와 공급 과잉에 대응하면서 우방국의 투자와 생산을 유도하겠다는 취지다. 산업연구원은 이러한 장치가 핵심광물 가격 급락을 막아 생산자의 수익성을 보호하고 가격 예측 가능성을 높이는 효과가 있을 것으로 평가했다. 다만 세계무역기구(WTO) 규범과의 충돌 가능성, 비참여국과의 갈등, 시장 왜곡 논란 등 새로운 통상 이슈를 야기할 가능성도 있다고 지적했다. 주요국들은 중국의 핵심광물 공급망 지배력 완화 필요성에는 대체로 공감하고 있지만, 미국이 제안한 가격하한제와 공동외부관세 등 시장 개입 방식에는 온도 차를 보이고 있는 것으로 분석됐다. EU와 캐나다 등은 가격 안정과 투자 확대 측면에서는 필요성을 인정하면서도 과도한 시장 개입과 수입선 제한에 대해서는 우려를 나타내고 있다. 이에 따라 향후 ATCM 협상에서는 가격 체계와 관세 체계가 핵심 쟁점으로 떠오를 전망이다. 광물과 국가별 이해관계가 다른 만큼 일괄 합의보다는 단계적·선별적 합의가 이뤄질 가능성이 높다는 분석이다. 산업연구원은 한국이 '가공 핵심광물 수입-파생제품 수출'의 이른바 '샌드위치 구조'에 놓여 있다고 진단했다. 가공 핵심광물은 중국 등 특정 국가 의존도가 높은 반면, 이를 활용한 배터리와 소재·부품 등 파생제품은 미국과 EU 등 ATCM 참여국으로 수출하는 구조라는 것이다. 실제로 올해 기준 리튬 가공품 수입의 75%, 흑연의 67%, 희토류의 52%를 중국에서 들여오고 있다. 반면 니켈 파생제품 수출의 24%, 리튬 28%, 망간 32%, 코발트 31%가 미국으로 향하고 있다. 보고서는 ATCM이 현실화하면 우리나라는 핵심광물 수입선을 다변화하고 미국·EU 시장 접근성을 높일 기회를 얻을 수 있지만, 협정 밖 국가에 대한 의존이 지속될 경우 새로운 공급망 리스크에 직면할 가능성도 있다고 분석했다. 이에 따라 한국은 외교·안보뿐 아니라 산업경쟁력 관점에서 ATCM 참여 전략을 설계해야 한다고 제언했다. 김현석 산업연구원 통상정책분석팀장은 "호주·캐나다·아세안 국가들과 광산 개발, 제련, 재자원화 프로젝트, 장기 오프테이크(off-take) 계약을 확대하고 이를 국내 핵심광물 확보 전략과 연계할 필요가 있다"고 강조했다. 이어 "채굴부터 제련·가공·소재·부품 생산까지 가치사슬 전반에 국내 기업이 참여할 수 있는 글로벌 생산거점을 구축해야 한다"며 "가격하한제와 AI 기반 기준가격 체계에는 시장 왜곡 가능성을 고려해 선택적·조건부로 참여하고, 전략비축과 정책금융, 세제·재자원화 지원을 연계한 정책 패키지도 마련해야 한다"고 덧붙였다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 11:04:00